Enrollment – Five Branches University https://www.fivebranches.edu Learn from the experts Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:06:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.fivebranches.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cropped-favicon-3-32x32.webp Enrollment – Five Branches University https://www.fivebranches.edu 32 32 Community and Wellness Shine at the February 25th Open House Event https://www.fivebranches.edu/university-news/community-and-wellness-shine-at-the-february-25th-open-house-event/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:39:34 +0000 https://www.fivebranches.edu/?p=96341 Continue reading Community and Wellness Shine at the February 25th Open House Event »]]>

Gratitude Towards All Participants

A big thank you once again to all of our guests, faculty members, staff, students, and alumni for coming together to make our February 25th Open House event a possibility. It was a pleasure to be able to provide wellness services, alumni talks, mini lectures and workshops for everyone. We look forward to seeing everyone once again at our future campus events.
]]> An Enriching TCM Immersion Event Successfully Held https://www.fivebranches.edu/university-news/an-enriching-tcm-immersion-event/ Wed, 19 Oct 2022 20:57:49 +0000 https://www.fivebranches.edu/?p=87292 Continue reading An Enriching TCM Immersion Event Successfully Held »]]>

A Profound Experience Shared with many

On October 16th, both the Santa Cruz and San Jose Five Branches campuses successfully held our TCM Immersion Event. Thanks to the hard work of our staff, faculty, students, and alumni, we have had the honor and pleasure to present lectures, a program open house, as well as complimentary TCM diagnosis and treatment.

We enjoyed sharing the profound realm of TCM with everyone, by having them experience TCM education and TCM healing firsthand. We would like to thank all of the guests who came and shared this enriching experience with us!
]]> Five Branches Admissions Fund Scholarship https://www.fivebranches.edu/news-events/five-branches-earns-top-ca-acupuncture-board-exam-passing-rate-2/ Wed, 03 Aug 2022 21:29:08 +0000 https://www.fivebranches.edu/?p=84813 Continue reading Five Branches Admissions Fund Scholarship »]]>

Every term, Five Branches University offers its incoming students three scholarships per campus in the amounts of $500, $750, and $1,000.

To qualify for scholarship submission students must:

  • Have applied for financial aid (even if you don’t believe you qualify)
  • Have no family or other organization financial contribution
  • Minimum GPA of 3.00

 A one-page only statement of purpose essay along with a cover letter, which includes your name and current address, and phone number must be submitted to the admissions office (Santa Cruz or San Jose) by or before Orientation Day.  Please note that late applications will not be reviewed.

The Scholarship Review Committee will review all applications based on the above criteria and the strength of the statement of purpose essay and announce the winners within four (4) weeks.  Scholarship awards will be applied towards the winners’ next term tuition.

]]> Five Branches Ranks Top in CA Acupuncture Board Exam Passing Rate https://www.fivebranches.edu/news-events/five-branches-earns-top-ca-acupuncture-board-exam-passing-rate/ Thu, 14 Jul 2022 22:45:25 +0000 https://www.fivebranches.edu/?p=84111

With great pride in our students, we have been informed that according to the latest statistics in 2021 from the California Acupuncture Board, Five Branches tanks top in CA Acupuncture Board Exam passing rate.

2020 Examination Results Statistics

2021 Examination Results Statistics

]]> Five Branches University’s Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dual-Degree Program Receives Seven-Year Re-Accreditation by ACAOM https://www.fivebranches.edu/university-news/five-branches-universitys-doctor-of-traditional-chinese-medicine-and-master-of-traditional-chinese-medicine-dual-degree-program-receives-seven-year-re-accreditation-by-acaom-2/ Mon, 12 Apr 2021 05:36:09 +0000 https://www.fivebranches.edu/?p=26557 Continue reading Five Branches University’s Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dual-Degree Program Receives Seven-Year Re-Accreditation by ACAOM »]]>

Five Branches University is proud to have earned the highest level of institutional and programmatic re-accreditation, 7-years, for its Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM*) and Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MTCM*) Dual-Degree Program in Santa Cruz. In parallel, the Postgraduate Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Program in San Jose is now fully accredited by ACAHM, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. We congratulate the Board, administration, faculty and students of Five Branches for this double accomplishment and recognition, and thank you for your contributions to the continued growth and development of the University.

* Degrees title change notice: DTCM is now known as DAcHM , MTCM is now known as MAcHM. Click here for more details.

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]]> Careers Open to Acupuncturists: Newsletter, March 2021 https://www.fivebranches.edu/university-news/many-careers-are-open-to-acupuncturists-newsletter-march-2021/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 13:05:40 +0000 https://www.fivebranches.edu/?p=25273 Continue reading Careers Open to Acupuncturists: Newsletter, March 2021 »]]>
Subscribe To Our Newsletter | Want to share your story? Please contact us: newsletter@fivebranches.edu

Many Careers are Open to Acupuncturists

Did you know there are a multitude of career opportunities for acupuncturists, including starting your own private practice, joining an integrative medical facility, getting hired at Kaiser or Sutter or Modern Acupuncture, getting hired at a spa or yoga studio, teaching at a university, working at an herbal dispensary, or even traveling the world to assist in dire situations for Acupuncturists Without Borders?

Our practitioners are equipped with paramount levels of education for acupuncture, herbal formulation, Chinese dietary advice, and even marketing skills, so you can get started on your career path right away.

We encourage you to consider what type of practice you might want to have once you are an acupuncturist (and keep in mind our DTCM/DAOM/Bridge Doctoral programs offer added benefits since employers often prefer more initials after your name)! Visit Paths to TCM for more information on the many different transformations your career can take, and has already taken our alumni.

Adding Healthy Oils to Your Diet Can Reduce Depression

In addition to acupuncture and herbs, what other measures can help us through the ‘winter blues’ as we also face an ongoing pandemic? One way is adding more healthy fats to your daily diet, and eating a wide variety of vegetables instead of sticking with the same few ones.

Dietetics research suggests that extra virgin olive oil and fish oils (heavily featured in the Mediterranean Diet) help combat depression, and the positive effects lasted longer if people also committed to eating many different types of greens, nuts, seeds, and beans (Parletta et. al. [2019] A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression, Nutritional Neuroscience, 22:7, 474-487).

In Traditional Chinese Medicine we say colloquially “Eat a rainbow every day,” which references a variety of plant sources. One possibility for a side dish is lightly steamed rainbow chard tossed with cold-pressed olive oil and sprinkled with diced olives (both black and green) and fresh basil.

A Special Point for Pregnancy Anxiety

The pandemic has made most aspects of life far more challenging, and heightened emotions expected with becoming pregnant may be even more complex right now. If you or a loved one is pregnant (the patient in this photo was three months along), consider acupressure for Pericardium 4.

Located between palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis about five inches from the wrist, P4 helps alleviate depression, grief, and fear of people. Coronavirus has sparked additional worry during pregnancy, including transmissibility concerns and a lack of community support. Even the pandemic aside, anxiety is common during pregnancy but your doctor may caution against taking medications if possible.

When stressed, press and hold this point ten times in a row to increase circulation within the energy pathways; acupressure can also be used preventively first thing each morning to avoid developing the symptoms.

]]> Education Continues: Newsletter, February 2021 https://www.fivebranches.edu/university-news/education-continues-newsletter-february-2021/ Tue, 02 Feb 2021 12:09:13 +0000 https://www.fivebranches.edu/?p=24713 Continue reading Education Continues: Newsletter, February 2021 »]]>
Subscribe To Our Newsletter | Want to share your story? Please contact us: newsletter@fivebranches.edu

Education Continues During A Pandemic

Embracing the safety and the well-being of students and faculty in providing patient-care, education at FBU continues with high safety measures and careful adoption of various formats, including online education to achieve teaching objectives to promote upkeep of clinical skills and knowledge.

On February 21 at 2pm Pacific time, join us for

  • General information about the program
  • A graduate and a senior student testimonials
  • Clinic operation in light of the COVID-19 regulations
  • Small groups for Q & A

Spotlight on a Current Student: Frederica Crafts

Our current student Frederica has enjoyed giving free acupuncture at fairs, such as MLK Youth Day in January 2020, just prior to the pandemic temporarily halting our usual events where faculty and students assist underserved populations

At that event longtime professor Mariposa Bernstein had students set up a circle of chairs and treat patients with auricular (ear) points. Frederica says “This unique opportunity gave me the experience of working with a vast array of individuals, many of whom had never experienced the healing nature of acupuncture. It was wonderful to come together as a community and expose people to m odalities that they may never have the opportunity to experience.”

One of the rewards we can have as acupuncturists is a real-time view of the stress relief our treatments provide. The pace of modern life is extremely taxing. Frederica noticed that at the health fair, “Children were cared for, mothers were listened to and relieved, fathers shared healing time with their children. It was a day that has shown me just how important it is to participate in community gatherings.”

Five Branches is looking forward to getting back to our outreach programs which have always been lively and rewarding; for now, please stay safe and focus on cultivating daily routines that work best for your family.

 

Service Updates: Our Clinics Are Open

We offer affordable acupuncture at both our Santa Cruz and San Jose clinics, as well as virtual Telehealth sessions for those who wish to speak with their clinician from the comfort of their homes. To make an appointment please give us a call; unfortunately, we cannot accommodate walk-ins at this time. Below you will find our current hours and contact information:

Santa Cruz Clinic
200 7th Ave #115, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

(831) 476-9424| SC Clinic

Service Hours:
Monday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed

San Jose Clinic
1885 Lundy Ave, San Jose, CA 95131

(408) 260-8868 | SJ Clinic

Service Hours:
Monday 9:00am – 7:30pm
Tuesday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am – 7:30pm
Thursday 9:00am – 7:30pm
Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed

Giant Hot Pot Broth Being Made

Winter is upon us, and a cozy delicious soup you can enjoy is a traditional Chinese hot pot (made with beef tallow, vegetables, spices, herbs, beans, and so on) but you have never seen it cooked in a cauldron this big before! It is mesmerizing.

Notice the range of Chinese herbs from our pharmacopeia being added one by one. Each Chinese herb in a decoction, formula or stew has a specific function in our medicine, such as reducing blood pressure or assisting with weight loss!
Image Source

 


 

 

]]> Newsletter & Happy New Year, January 2021 https://www.fivebranches.edu/university-news/newsletter-happy-new-year-january-2021/ Tue, 05 Jan 2021 15:47:41 +0000 https://www.fivebranches.edu/?p=24549 Continue reading Newsletter & Happy New Year, January 2021 »]]>
Subscribe Our Newsletter | Want to share your story? Please contact us: newsletter@fivebranches.edu

New Year’s Resolution: Stress Less

This year as we celebrate switching over to 2021 with just our own company or with our small ‘pod’ of folks, let us try to bring in extra warmth and acceptance after a very difficult time. If you generally feel extra stress during darker and chillier months, consider adding these to your self-care regimen:
  • Rescue Remedy (available at health food stores) 10 drops daily in your water
  • Mint tea (known to acupuncturists as Bo He) each evening to help you sleep
  • Ginger tea (known as Sheng Jiang) every morning to warm hands and feet
  • Omega-3 oils such as DHA and EPA (found in fish oil capsules, or even better by eating salmon or mussels twice weekly) can protect against heart disease
  • Goji berries (known as Gou Qi Zi) in boiling water as a tea or baked in muffins

What Does the Yin-Yang Symbol Mean?

Spotted at a CA outdoor market: licensed acupuncturist and 2005 grad Erica Vessells, sporting a new pair of yin-yang earrings made by fair trade craftswomen in Bali. The yin-yang symbol has its roots in Chinese Taoism and represents how opposing forces are often beautifully interconnected. An analogy would be how day turns into night and night into day; one catches glimpses of each within the other. During twilight a spreading quietude and indigo enshrouds the world; at dawn, day is blossoming from within the night. The yin-yang is perhaps the most crucial symbol in all of Chinese medicine, representing ultimate balance and vitality.

Industry Update

The NCCAOM changed its policy on exam retakes; under new rules candidates can have more than 5 attempts IF they satisfy certain requirements (such factors include certification application validity and previous exams passed). Please see this post for more information.

A Message from the President & Dean

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” -Confucius

As we head into 2021, our thoughts are with those whose health has been affected by the pandemic, and the frontline workers who remain at risk every day. At Five Branches we switched to a virtual model immediately and continue to incorporate updates to virtual and hybrid teaching to keep students and patients safe. This year has been such a difficult time. Our students and faculty remain committed to the foundations of healing from five thousand years ago. We are working hard to spearhead best practices to face these challenges, and we wish you a better 2021.

-President Ron Zaidman & Dean Joanna Zhao

]]> The Charm of Our Santa Cruz Campus https://www.fivebranches.edu/university-news/introduction-santa-cruz-campus/ Thu, 24 Sep 2020 20:52:06 +0000 https://www.fivebranches.edu/?p=22137 Continue reading The Charm of Our Santa Cruz Campus »]]>

Five Branches University has two campuses that lie about forty miles apart. The Santa Cruz Campus is located just a block from the ocean. It’s just a short walk to Twin Lakes State Beach. The San Jose Campus is in north San Jose, the largest city of the innovative Silicon Valley.

We allow students to take classes at both campuses. This gives you a lot of flexibility as far as timing. If you need to work, and the class that you need is taught at the other campus at a better time that is more convenient for you, you can do it. It’s just that you need to declare a home campus and then you have to take the majority of your classes in that home campus. But if occasionally you need to take the class at the other campus, then you can definitely do that.”

Beyond the faculty, each location has its own unique charm. Despite being less than an hour’s drive apart, San Jose and Santa Cruz are two vastly different communities.  At the Santa Cruz campus, I would say the majority of our students are not local, they have a bachelor’s degree usually, or higher.” About half of the Santa Cruz students move to the area to study. Many are graduates of UC Santa Cruz. Others have family or friends in the area or vacationed there and have fond memories. They have diverse backgrounds such as massage therapists, yoga and martial arts practitioners, nurses and business majors.

“Santa Cruz is a nice place for someone who does not like a big city, that prefers to have more of a homey town, a small-town feel. It’s next to the ocean on the coast of Monterey. People who enjoy water sports will enjoy being so close to the ocean because, while cold, the coastline is easy to swim. The weather in Santa Cruz is relatively tepid for most of the year with only a few weeks of hot weather during the summer. If you come from an area that is cold and rainy or super humid, living here is a nice place for the years while you go through your education. Santa Cruz has a lot of draw from beyond that. It’s a community that loves spiritual growth.

There are personal growth types of events and seminars, a lot of health-oriented events, a wonderful farmers’ market, a lot of alternative health. Santa Cruz is very progressive. There are a lot of athletic things too, whether it is running, mountain biking, rock climbing, there are a lot of opportunities to participate in physical sports in Santa Cruz. From city & state parks to soccer pitches, outdoor basketball courts, and more.

“I have lived here for over 20 years. Even I just recently discovered that there is a huge park with cows roaming in the meadows in the middle of town. I didn’t even know that it existed and just by accident, I found out. Ariana Gulch. So nice! You can have a long trail, a picnic, so there are all these hidden gems in Santa Cruz.

]]> The State of Five Branches University during the Covid-19 Pandemic https://www.fivebranches.edu/university-news/state-five-branches-university-covid-19-pandemic/ Mon, 30 Mar 2020 16:46:18 +0000 https://www.fivebranches.edu/?p=21190 Continue reading The State of Five Branches University during the Covid-19 Pandemic »]]>

Five Branches University is closely monitoring COVID-19. This is a rapidly evolving situation and we are doing everything in our power to support those who are affected including students, patients, faculty, staff and the general public. Below you will find what we are doing in each sector of our campus to ensure the safety of everyone involved in Five Branches University and Health Services.

Please click on the relevant link below:

Clinic - Patients

Patients may call to arrange for an herbal refill, and/or online consultation with a private practitioner, a faculty member or an intern. Herbs are at usual prices. Consultations are 50% of normal fees. For online consultations, you will be texted or emailed a Google Meet link that allows video conferencing.

  • (831) 476-8211 Santa Cruz 
  • (408) 260-8868 San Jose

Current Students

We are taking all possible courses in an online format. Those courses that cannot be taken online will be postponed until a later date.

We will be taking registration for summer courses either over the phone or online. Please contact your advisor for more information.

DTCM/MTCM Dual-Degree Program

The DTCM/MTCM Dual-Degree Program is now being taught online on the Google Classroom and Google Meet platforms allowing students to receive all course materials and to meet live through video conference with their faculty member and fellow students 
For assistance:

Postgraduate DAOM Program

The Postgraduate DAOM program is now being taught online using Google Drive for course materials such as PowerPoints and class notes, and via Google Meet for live video conferencing with the faculty member and fellow students.

For assistance:

DTCM/DAc Bridge Program

The DTCM/DAc Bridge program will continue to be taught fully online, as it was from its inception.

For assistance:

Admissions

DTCM/MTCM Dual-Degree Program

The admissions offices for the DTCM/MTCM Dual-Degree programs in San Jose and Santa Cruz remain open online and applicants interested in receiving information or speaking with an admissions advisor may call or email:

Postgraduate DAOM Program – English and Chinese

The admissions offices for the Postgraduate DAOM English and Chinese programs in San Jose is open and applicants interested in receiving information or speaking with an admissions advisor may call or email:

DTCM/DAc Bridge Program

The admissions office for the DTCM/DAc Bridge program is open and applicants interested in receiving information or speaking with an admissions advisor may call or email:

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